One Another Series - Care For One Another

 This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders. 

This year, in these podcasts, I am focusing upon the “One Another” scriptures found in the New Testament as viewed through the lens of leadership.  

Today’s verse is 1 Corinthians 12:25 which reads in the New International Version, “so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”  The English Standard Version (ESV) puts it this way.  “[T]hat there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.”

Other translations mention “equal care” or “same concern” for different members of the Body.  

The broader context of this text is unity and diversity in the Body.  The Corinthian church certainly had its issues, and factions and leader favorites possibly topped the list.  [It was in chapter 3 that Paul noted that some in Corinth followed him while others preferred Apollos.]   

As leaders and spiritual overseers, we set the example for unity within the Body of Christ.  I’ve heard it said that before one is qualified to be a leader, he or she must first be a good follower, and I believe that this is true. 

One website mentions some characteristics of good followers. Here are some of my favorites from that list.  These are traits that I seek to model personally and what I desire to see in VCP leaders and followers.  

• Have their egos under control

• Are team players

• Willing and able to think for themselves and not simply give assent to everything they are told (we use an idiom for this in my country; we are not looking for “yes” men or women)

• They carry out assignments with energy and assertiveness

• Are self-motivated and take initiative

• Passionate about their work and the people they serve

Paul instructs us that one way that leaders protect unity within the Body is by demonstrating “equal concern” or the “same care” for one another.  There is no place for preferential treatment or favoritism.  

Elsewhere, James has something similar to say.  “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.  Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves… ” (2:1-4a)  

May we as leaders set the example by sharing equal concern for one another.    

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters and leaders.